Sweatpants are such a critically important part of our wardrobes that we simply don’t talk enough about. They’re loungewear, they’re casual wear, they’re so incredibly comfortable that they sort of disappear when you wear them. In a post-quarantine world, sweatpants are essential, and if you’re someone who enjoys time spent relaxing at home – you know exactly what we’re talking about.

In this Staff Select, we’re sharing our go-to sweatpants, and (spoiler alert) we’re not all done up in fine loopwheeled cotton fabrics that were milled on antique machines. No, we’re a bit more wide-ranging than that, but what exactly are our preferences? Affordable? Vintage? Japanese-made?

Why trust us? Well, we’ve all been in the game long enough to have field-tested a range of quality clothing, and the Heddels operation puts us onto some of the best clothing in the world week in, week out. Whilst our opinions and experiences shouldn’t be taken as definitive, this series will provide you insight into what has worked for us and why.

James – The Real McCoy’s Joe McCoy Ball Park Sweatpants

I recently reviewed Camber‘s Cross-Knit sweatwear, with a big focus on their sweatpants. Honestly, Cambers’ sweatpants are really good, but when it comes to the creme de la creme of cotton knitwear, it has to be loopwheeled.

And thus enter my Loopwheeled Sweatpants by The Real McCoy’s. I’ve had these for about 3 years and they’ve a ton of wear. Countless day trips, dog walks, lazy days — and washes — and not any pilling to be seen. The inside is still pretty soft, too. Especially when washed with a really decent fabric conditioner.

Honestly, I can’t advocate for these enough, from the supreme quality, vintage aesthetic, and customizable silhouette offered up by the drawstring hems.

Available from Lost & Found for $285.

David – Snow Peak Wool Blend Easy Pants

I don’t know if these technically qualify as sweatpants, but they’re what I have to check that “lazy, loungy, cold weather” box. They’re a pair of Snow Peak wool blend easy pants that I got at the Westerlind sample sale about 6 years ago. I can’t find them anywhere online so either they’re discontinued or were never made in the first place. Which is a pity, because I love them so much more than a typical pair of sweats.

At the most basic, they’re warm and soft and easy to put on, but they’re also not a sweat fleece color and they have a built-in belt and four pockets so they’re a bit more inconspicuous if you have to leave the house. I had shoulder surgery a few years ago, and I basically lived in them throughout the recovery because I couldn’t work a button from a sling.

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It’s finally getting cooler and I’ve just unearthed them, hopefully, this isn’t the last season before these have Snow Peaked for the last time.

Daniel – Reigning Champ Midweight Terry Sweatpants

I received these Reigning Champ sweats as a birthday present a few years ago, and I’ve worn them more than any pair of jeans in my current rotation, that’s for sure. RCs Midweight Terry cotton sweat fabric is hyped up for a reason – they’re noticeably comfortable, and remain that way for their lifespan. I believe they’re the slim-fit option, which I don’t really mind, they’re highly malleable and I’ve never been uncomfortable in this fit/fabric combination.

RC offers a variety of weights in their terry sweats, but the midweight is perfect for the climate I’m in and needs that I have. I’ve worn an RC hoodie for over 10 years to the point that it’s falling apart, and I expect to be able to do the same with these sweatpants. I’m really looking forward to the time I can add another pair to my loungewear collection, I’ve had my eyes on their wide-leg sweats for a long time now.

Available for ~$100 from Brooklyn Clothing.

Zach – All-American Clothing Co. Sweatpants

Sweatpants seem all the same until you find a pair that become better with time. I used to cheap out — to me, they were semi-disposable. This was true until I discovered this pair from Expert, which is made in the U.S. with a 50/50 cotton-poly blend. From exercising in the late evening to staying up late for a movie marathon, my pair has become invaluable. Everyone has a favorite tee and sweats should be no different.

There was a “break-in” period with this pair. The fleece interior produced a lot of black fuzz that found t-shirts and cotton socks with impunity. After several washes, this was no longer an issue. Miraculously, despite a year’s worth of laundry, they remain relatively colorfast. While the inseam is a bit long for my height it’s better than the opposite.

The Expert brand sweatpants are an All-American Clothing Co. exclusive for $19.95.

Brad – Champion Reverse Weave Joggers

There is something to be said for maintaining high quality on a mass scale. Few clothing companies do it well but Champion has nailed it with the reverse weave line.

The sweatshirts and sweatpants are universally popular, selling millions of pairs each year. I’ve tried sweatpants and joggers from dozens of brands, ranging from cheap to why-did-I-pay-that-much-for-sweatpants! As much as I like to recommend obscure and start-up brands, I just have not found superior satisfaction with Champion’s reverse weave joggers. The reverse weave fabric is sturdy but breathes and as much as I like to stick to 100% cotton, I can’t hate on the 82/18 cotton-poly blend. It is important for me to stipulate that I prefer the jogger over the standard sweatpants, because I own both. The joggers have a wider elastic band on the cuffs and waist, which I find both more comfortable and visually appealing.

If durability is paramount in all things, which I think we all agree it is, then Champion reverse weave joggers significantly outperform any competitor in its price range. The base price is $55 and you can often find discounts, which is another big appeal. Having owned three pairs over the years, I can comfortably rate the durability on par with $150 sweatpants. My favorite pair sports my alma mater, Rutgers University, on a heather light gray background.

Ben – Vintage U.S. Military Sweatpants

Old sweatpants aren’t the easiest item to find and if you think you can manifest a pair, you might be waiting a very long time. I unexpectedly came across an example last spring in a military grouping and ever since they’ve been my go-to. Made from a thick cotton with a cotton fleece back, these sweats aren’t the earliest pair in existence but their design takes it way back. No pockets. Drawstring waist. Tapered cut. Crotch gusset.

What I love is how these are so different from a modern pair in almost every way. And sure, maybe they’re a little less practical but they’re just as comfortable and unbeatable in the construction department. They date from the 1940s and feature the soldier’s name stenciled on the seat. He was a US Navy Pilot if I remember correctly.

Will – Cole Buxton Sweatpants

When it comes to choosing the perfect pair of sweatpants, many find solace in the tried-and-true staples of Japanese heritage-wear or quintessential USA sportswear. But for those of us who proudly hail from the United Kingdom, sometimes a dash of rogue patriotism demands a departure from the norm. Enter Cole Buxton‘s Warm Up Sweatpants; an off-piste pick that’s worth your consideration.

Crafted from a heavyweight 420GSM cotton, Cole Buxton’s best-selling sweatpants draw inspiration from 1960s bodybuilding. They’re designed to be worn high-waisted and feature a cropped fit, which will turn some people off for sure. In fact, I thought that would put me off but, surprisingly, I dig it.

What sets Cole Buxton’s warm-up sweatpants apart is the coloring. Each piece has been pigment-dyed, which leaves you with a pair of sweatpants that look like they’ve been worn for 10+ years. Super vintage, super broken-in. The only thing that’s a bit off with them is the sizing. I’m a true 33/34” waist, so I typically wear a medium or large in most pants—I’m an unfortunate “marge”. With these, I went extra large. Any smaller and these would have landed around my calves, which is not a flattering look.

Cole Buxton is a staple here in the UK, but it’s still pretty unknown in the US. Geography aside, it’s a brand worth checking out.

Available from END. for $149.

Kadeem – Puma Sweatpants

Sweatpants can get a bad rap and it’s pretty easy to understand why. They can be difficult to style and often a surefire way to look unkempt. To tell the truth, I’ve always been one to shy away from them, especially given my propensity to run a bit warmer than most (a polite way of saying I’m one extremely sweaty individual).

But then, Puma’s latest line of sweats entered my life in the form of a gift from my fiancée’s mom a couple of Christmases ago, and suddenly everything changed. As we all hunkered down during lockdown and traded sturdy hard clothing for the perpetual coziness of slouchy, relaxed loungewear, these became my undeniable favorites. It also helped that I lived in a 100-year-old Chicago apartment with a dubious heater so these bad boys kept my bottom half toasty all winter long.